GROUPTHINK Meaning and
Definition
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Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group or team where members prioritize maintaining harmony and conformity instead of critically thinking and making independent decisions. It manifests as a collective mindset characterized by limited creativity, little diversity in opinions, and a tendency to favor consensus over careful analysis. In a groupthink scenario, individuals may suppress their doubts or dissenting views in order to maintain unity and avoid conflict.
This collective bias can lead to flawed decision-making as group members become susceptible to making errors or overlooking potential alternatives. Groupthink often emerges when there is a strong desire for consensus, a persuasive and dominant leader who discourages dissent, and a closed-minded group atmosphere that suppresses dissenting voices.
Signs of groupthink may include overconfidence in the group's abilities, incomplete evaluation of alternatives, unquestioned belief in the group's values, and a strong pressure to conform to the group's opinions. Groupthink can hinder creativity, hinder critical thinking and individuality, and lead to poor decision-making and a failure to consider all possible options. It can occur in various contexts, such as government bodies, corporate boardrooms, or even social circles.
To combat groupthink, it is important to promote an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and openness to dissenting opinions. Encouraging critical thinking and assigning a devil's advocate role within a group can help challenge groupthink tendencies and improve decision-making processes.
Common Misspellings for GROUPTHINK
Etymology of GROUPTHINK
The word "groupthink" was coined by social psychologist Irving Janis in 1972. It combines the words "group" and "think" to describe a phenomenon where a group of people tends to make decisions or form opinions with little critical thinking or independent analysis. The term was originally developed to explain the flawed decision-making processes that occurred in certain historical events, such as the Bay of Pigs invasion. Janis identified groupthink as a psychological mechanism that leads to a lack of dissent and an increased desire for conformity within a group, resulting in poor decision-making outcomes.
Similar spelling words for GROUPTHINK
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